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The small-claims court in Franklin County handles money disputes up to $10,000, with simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
Here you will find the claim limit that applies in Franklin County, what filing costs, where the case is heard, how the defendant is served, the deadlines, and the order of steps. Squabble can take the preparation and filing off your hands.
These cases are heard at the single courthouse below. Franklin County confirms the venue from the defendant's address or where the events happened.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Confirm the courthouse before you file. The court's own small-claims page carries its current filing location and hours, and Squabble confirms the courthouse for your case when you file.
About 101,238 people live in Franklin County. Franklin County District Court: Small Claims Division, in Pasco, is the courthouse listed for Franklin County.
Small claims can be filed electronically here, which means the case can begin without going to the counter.
Remote appearance is available for some small claims hearings, depending on the court and the kind of case.
Copies of the evidence go to the judge and to the other party, and some courts allow it to be sent in electronically beforehand.
Residents of Franklin County, Washington, which has a population of 101,238, can file small claims cases through the Franklin County District Court: Small Claims Division, located at 1016 N 4th Avenue, Room B218, in Pasco, 99301. The court operates as part of the Washington District Court system and handles claims up to $10,000. Its counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and again from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, and it is closed Saturday and Sunday. The court serves communities across the county, including Connell, Eltopia, Kahlotus, Mesa, and Pasco, covering ZIP codes such as 99301, 99302, 99326, 99330, 99335, and 99343. Franklin County lies near Walla Walla County, Benton County, and Adams County. Electronic filing is available. The division can be reached by telephone at 509-545-3593 or (509) 545-3525, and further information is posted at http://www.co.franklin.wa.us/.
These 5 places sit inside Franklin County:
Connell, Eltopia, Kahlotus, Mesa, Pasco.
ZIP codes:
With about 101,238 residents, Franklin County ranks 14th by population among the 39 counties of Washington. Franklin County District Court: Small Claims Division in Pasco lies around 19 miles from the Walla Walla County courthouse in Walla Walla and 3 miles from the Benton County courthouse in Kennewick.
Neighbouring counties and the courts that serve them:
Small claims handles money owed between ordinary people and businesses. Procedure is kept light, and claims are capped.
Maximum claim
You generally file where the other party lives, not where the dispute happened.
Splitting a single claim across multiple filings to dodge the ceiling is not permitted.
Judgments take the form of money owed; other kinds of relief are heard elsewhere.
In Washington's district court small claims department, no attorney or legal paraprofessional may appear or participate in the prosecution or defense of a case without the consent of the judicial officer hearing it. A narrow exception under RCW 12.40.025 lets an attorney who was already the attorney of record continue representing a party when a case is transferred from district court to the small claims department.
Where a party is under 18, the court appoints a guardian to act.
Over the limit? Either bring the figure down to the maximum and remain in small claims, or file the whole amount in the regular civil court. The amount given up is usually gone for good.
Franklin County is under the same limits as nearby Walla Walla County and Benton County. Franklin County District Court: Small Claims Division is the courthouse listed for Franklin County.
This court handles money claims to a ceiling of $10,000. Below are the kinds of case filed most often.
Franklin County has about 101,238 residents. Franklin County District Court: Small Claims Division is the Franklin County courthouse listed below.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Set out the claim on the court's form, identify the correct courthouse, and pay the fee.
Formal notice reaches the other party, who then has a window to respond or resolve it.
A brief, informal hearing, in person or, where the court offers it, by video. The judge rules at the hearing or sends the decision after.
Franklin County District Court: Small Claims Division lists (509) 545-3525 as its number. Everything below applies to a case filed in Franklin County, at the Pasco courthouse.
The defendant must be given formal notice after filing. This is service of process, and as a rule you are not permitted to serve the papers yourself. Washington courts usually take delivery by delivery arranged by the court or email service where the court allows it.
Depending on the court: the sheriff or constable, a professional process server, the clerk by certified mail, or another adult who isn't part of the case. Methods and costs vary by county.
Courts set their own cut-off for how many days before the hearing notice must land. The clerk gives you that date along with the hearing date. Service: 10 days before hearing (in-county), 13 days (out-of-county). Proof of service filed before hearing (or bring to hearing).
A completed proof of service records who delivered the papers and when, and it is filed with the court beforehand.
Service is where many self-filed cases stall. Squabble can coordinate professional Service of Process so it's done correctly and on time.
Walla Walla County and Benton County are the counties nearest to Franklin County. A Franklin County address carries one of its 6 ZIP codes, 99301, 99302 and 99326 among them.
Filing is only possible for a set time after the events. Beyond it, the other side can have the claim thrown out.
| Kind of claim | Time limit to file |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years |
| Oral contract | 3 years |
| Property damage | 3 years |
| Personal injury | 3 years |
The same periods apply in Franklin County as in nearby Walla Walla County and Benton County, which are in the same state. Franklin County, population about 101,238, is covered by the table above.
Money owed under a contract in Washington generally accrues interest at 12% per year before judgment (Wash. Rev. Code §4.56.010, §19.52.020).
Want to estimate what interest adds to your claim? Use the Squabble interest calculator to see the running total before you file.
It is the same rate across all 6 Franklin County ZIP codes. The rate above is the one for Franklin County, population about 101,238.
Make sure the claim is under the maximum and that the limitation period has not expired.
Identify the party precisely, lay out what occurred, and show the arithmetic behind the total.
File with the Franklin County small-claims court, or e-file, and pay the $35–$55 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
Service comes after the date is set. File the server's proof once the papers have been delivered.
Arrange your evidence and number the exhibits so nothing has to be searched for on the day.
Attend the hearing, in person or by video if that is offered, make your case, and receive the outcome.
Tell Eleanor what happened and Squabble builds the filing, Triple-Checks™ it for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files it on your behalf.
Start for FREE →Three documents recur: the claim form that begins it, the proof of service confirming delivery, and a fee waiver if eligible. Names vary locally; Squabble selects the correct versions.
Franklin County papers go to Franklin County District Court: Small Claims Division in Pasco. Connell, Eltopia and Kahlotus are among the places in Franklin County that filings come from.
The hearing is brief and informal. The judge asks the questions, and most people speak for themselves.
Connell, Eltopia and Kahlotus are among the Franklin County places a hearing can draw parties from. Hearings in Franklin County cases are listed at Franklin County District Court: Small Claims Division in Pasco.
The decision settles who owes what. Turning it into money is a separate stage, and the tools the court makes available differ by state.
Where the law allows, an employer can be directed to send part of the debtor's pay to the court.
Money in the debtor's bank account can be seized under a levy the court orders.
Recording the judgment locally can place a lien against real property in the debtor's name.
The court can additionally require the debtor to appear and answer under oath about what they earn and own. An unsatisfied judgment usually carries statutory interest until it is paid.
Walla Walla County and Benton County are the counties nearest to Franklin County. The judgment in a Franklin County case comes from Franklin County District Court: Small Claims Division in Pasco.
Last checked in August 2026. Court fees, limits and procedures move; verify them with the court first.
Talk with Eleanor about what happened. Squabble prepares your demand letter and court-ready documents, Triple-Checks them for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files your Franklin County case for you.
